Losing a citizenship certificate can make you feel very overwhelmed. This certificate acts as the official indication of American citizenship. If one loses, damages, or has the document stolen, the process to replace a citizenship certificate can be a tedious one. Luckily, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has established definite procedures to enable people to acquire a replacement.

The guide attempts to outline the steps for replacing a lost or damaged citizenship certificate, the necessary forms to be filled out, the waiting time that might be involved, and what one can expect in the process.

Understanding the Citizenship Certificate

People who have already gained U.S. citizenship, either by being born to U.S. citizen parents or through naturalization, are given citizenship certificates. It serves to verify that a person is considered a legal U.S. citizen and can be sent with the issuance of a passport, a Social Security card, or other government entitlement.

There are two standard versions of this document:

• Form N-560 (Certificate of Citizenship): for individuals who acquired or derived citizenship through parents.

• Form N-550 (Certificate of Naturalization): for individuals who became citizens through the naturalization process.

In case one of these certificates is lost, stolen, destroyed, or particularly damaged, USCIS permits such individuals to request a replacement.

The Replacement Process: Step by Step

Source

Follow the step-by-step process below to get your citizenship certificate replaced as early as possible: 

Step 1: Confirm the Need for Replacement

Before starting, one should decide whether the document has to be replaced. When the wearing off of the certificate is minimal yet still very legible, the certification should not be replaced. However, if it is lost or damaged to the point where it is unreadable, the application to a new one is inevitable.

Step 2: Complete Form N-565

Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, is the official form to fill out to replace a citizenship certificate. This is available both online to be filled out on the USCIS website and in paper form.

In the form, the applicants have to supply:

• Full legal name

• Alien registration number (if applicable)

• U.S. address and contact information

• Reason for replacement (lost, stolen, destroyed, or incorrect information)

Step 3: Gather Supporting Documents

Several documents have to be provided together with the application to certify that the applicants are genuine and have a worthy claim. This can include:

• A copy of the lost certificate (if available)

• Government-issued identification (such as a driver’s license or passport)

• Police report (if the document was stolen)

• Passport-style photographs as per USCIS requirements

These supporting materials ensure that USCIS can verify the applicant’s claim and prevent fraudulent requests.

Step 4: Pay the Filing Fee

Form N-565 costs $555 to file. Those applying online can make payment through electronic methods, including credit card, debit card, and bank withdrawal. The paper applicants should include a check or money order made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

It should be noted that this fee is not refundable even when the application is rejected.

Step 5: Submit the Application

After having the form, supporting documents, and payment prepared, applicants will be able to apply by either:

• Online: via the USCIS website. This makes tracking and communication easy.

• By Mail: mailing the piece to the USCIS lockbox location found in the instructions to Form N-565.

Step 6: Attend a Biometrics Appointment (If Required)

Applicants may be asked to come to a biometrics appointment in some cases by USCIS. In the process, the fingerprints, photographs, and signatures are taken to confirm the identity of an applicant. A notice containing the date and location will be sent to the applicants.

Step 7: Wait for Processing

The waiting period for a replacement certificate varies. On average, the processing time can range from 5 to 12 months, depending on USCIS workload and the accuracy of the application. Applicants can track their case status online using the receipt number provided after submission.

Common Reasons for Applying for a Replacement

Replacing a certificate of citizenship is required in some of the following situations:

1. Misplaced or Stolen Certificate: If lost or stolen, the certificate will have to be replaced to provide legal proof of citizenship.

2. Destroyed Certificate: When the document is water-damaged, torn up, or otherwise illegible.

3. Clerical Error: In some cases, USCIS can provide incorrect personal details, including misspellings of the name or the wrong date of birth.

4. Legal Name Change: In case an individual has changed his/her name by law after naturalization, he/she can apply to receive a certificate showing the new name.

Tips for a Smooth Replacement Process

• Double-check the N-565 process form: Make sure you fill in all the boxes appropriately. Any incorrect details will delay the process.

• Make photocopies: Make photocopies of any documents, such as the application itself, a payment receipt, and backup materials to keep with you.

• Submit files online to update faster: The USCIS online system enables the applicant to have real-time updates.

• Time is of the essence: A loss of a citizenship certificate is an important legal document, so start the replacement procedure as soon as you lose the document.

• As temporary evidence, use a passport: Until the replacement comes, people can use a valid U.S. passport as evidence of citizenship.

Why Expert Help Matters in the Replacement Process

When an individual replaces a lost citizenship certificate, it should be through a structured process, and such a process should be thorough and considerate of the documentation. With the proper completion of the procedures, U.S. citizens can obtain a duplicate certificate. Though it can take several months, this process still allows one to continue to enjoy the rights and privileges of U.S. citizenship.

Individuals who are unsure regarding the paperwork, as well as those who are having complications, should also consult a reputable immigration lawyer, like our professionals at Di Martino Law Group, who can make the process easier and prevent delays. This is not only a document, after all, because this certificate is the formal acknowledgment of belonging to the United States.

Lost your citizenship certificate? Don’t go through the troublesome replacement process alone. Immigration experts can help with filing Form N-565, gathering documents, and expediting your application. Reach out to Di Martino Law Group today to get step-by-step assistance.